Millions of Americans suffer from chronic pain, which is defined as pain that lasts longer than 12 weeks. People with debilitating chronic pain often seek relief through prescription pain relievers. However, many common prescription pain killers have the potential to cause dependence and lead to abuse. Duke City Recovery Toolbox in Albuquerque, New Mexico can help those experiencing chronic pain to prevent abuse and addiction and safely titrate off medications.
What You Need to Know about Pain Management and Dependence
Prescription pain killers, including oxycodone, hydrocodone and Percocet, are opioids. They bond to receptor sites in the brain and body to modify how pain is received. Over time, your body develops a tolerance for opioids, so you need higher and higher doses to get the same effect.
When used long-term, these drugs can also cause the brain to stop making its own dopamine, the body’s natural pain killer. When your brain can no longer regulate its own chemistry, you are said to have become dependent.
Unfortunately, there is no way to prevent tolerance or substance dependence. There are expected outcomes of long-term opioid use for pain management. However, dependence does not have to lead to addiction, which adds psychological and behavioral changes that complicate your life and those of your friends and family.
How We Can Help
Duke City Recovery Toolbox does not provide pain management services. However, our medical team can work with your prescribing physician(s) to address dependence.
In the absence of opioids for a long enough period of time, your brain will start producing its own dopamine again. The medical team at Duke City Recovery Toolbox can help you get to that point by coordinating care with your pain management specialists to slowly titrate you off your medication and prevent withdrawals.
To address physical pain and discomfort, we may recommend or refer you to other practitioners for natural therapies for pain relief. We also encourage you to seek emotional support through our counseling services.
Opioid use for chronic pain does not have to be a way of life. Contact Duke City Recovery Toolbox to learn more about substance dependence treatment.
